Flexible reenforcing



Sept. 30, 1930. G. w. BLAIR FLEXIBLE REENF'ORCING Filed May 21, 1925 ?atented Sept. 30, 1930 GEORGE W. BLAIR, OF MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, ASSIGNOB WOOLEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA FLEXIBLE REENFOROIN G Application filed May 21,

My invention has reference to the reenforoing of flexible articles, as for example overshoes and other types of footwear, so as to avoid sharp bends, where flexing occurs, and

my invention is particularly useful in connection with fasteners of the quick operating type, wherein opposed fastener members are interlocked and released by movement of a cam member or slider therealong as it serves,

to prevent excessive bending that might injure or impair the fastener members.

It has become quite an extensive practice to make articles of footwear, such as overshoes, with a quick operating fastener ex- 15 tending down the front and comprising opposed series of fastener elements, on the forward edges of the side portions or quarters of the overshoe, which are interlocked and released by movement of a slider therealong.

29 A constant bending takes place at the front of the overshoe in the act of-walking, which, of course, causes a corresponding constant bending of the fastener. If the overshoe fits fairly close this bending of the fastener is not 35 severe. However, overshoes of this type are usually made without any provision for adj usting the size of the upper, and as it is impracticable to put them out with a variety of sizes of uppers, it oftentimes occurs'that 30 the upper fits somewhat loosely around the leg. In such cases, the extra fullness causes the portion of the upper at the bend to buckle inwardly in walking and imposes a rather sharp bending strain on the fastener and also tends to form an objectionable crease or wrinkle at the bend. This bending and rwrinkling tendency is also made more pronounced in high top shoes or overshoes because the upper is usually made of a soft ma- 40 terial and the taper of the leg and the working of the muscles causes some downward crowding action on the upper. Aside from the foregoing there are other occasions where a decided bend is given to he front of the overshoe and the fastener, as for example, in

stooping.

In quick operating fasteners of the type referred to above, the fastener elements are arrangedclose together in series in a flexible manner, as for example, by mounting sep- 1925. Serial No. 31,?67.

arate elements on a tape or stringer or by T0 MISHAWAKA RUBBER &

forming the elements as coils or loops of a coiled element or spiral spring, and excessive or sharp bending of the fastener tends to jam the elements together at the inner side of the bend and impose undesirable strains thereon, and also in some cases allows the interengaged elements to slip sidewise out of engagement. Moreover if there is a constant and excessive bending as in the case where the upper fits loosely and buckles inwardly in the act of walking, the fastener may give Way under the constant strain and become disarranged or broken.

- With my invention I provide reenforcing, along the front portion of the overshoe where excessive bending is likely to occur which tends to round out or increasethe radius of the bend, thereby distributing or extending the bend along a greater length of the fastener and avoiding concentration of the bend within narrow limits involving only a few fastener elements. This reenforci-hg may be efiected by increasing the thickness of portions of the overshoe along the fastener, and

in practice I accomplished the result by embodying in portions of the overshoe along the fastener, strips of rubber composition,-

rubberized fabric or other suitable material which is shaped so that the reenforcing merges into the structure and is unnoticeable.

This reenforcing not only serves the purpose in connection with a quick operating fastener of protecting the latter against injurious bending but also serves to hold the upper portion of the overshoe extended smoothly so as to counteract any downward crowding tendency of the upper portion of the -overshoe, and not only improves the appearance of the shoe but also increases the comfort on account of the fact that wrinkling cannot occur. The reenforcing may be advantageously employed, for the latter purpose in overshoes and footwear where a quick operating fastener is not used and may also be used in connection with a quick operating fastener on other articles, besides overshoes and footwear, where excessive bending may occur.

to the underside of the 7 respective side portions side portions 2 and 3 each Thelprincipal objects of my to avoid excessive or injurious bending of a quick operating fastener; to prevent jamming together or cramping; of fastener elements when the fastener is bent; to distribute or extend the bending in a quick pperating fastener along a sufliclent length of the latter so that the bending strain is not localized or concentrated within narrow limits; to arrange the :reenforcin g so that it is not discernible; to provide a simple and convenient reenforcing in overshoes or other footwear for holding the upper portion thereof extehded and; counteracting downward crowding and wrinkling of the upper; to improve the'appearance of the shoe and make it more com fortalile on the legend foot; to arrange the invention are reenforcing so that a minimum amount of reenforcin g material is required; and in general to improve the construction of overshoes and other footwear and increase the durabilitv of'q'uick operating fasteners.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which I have. for the purpose of illustration, L shown my invention as applied to an overshoe of the type commonly worn by women, a Fig. l is a perspective view of an overshoe embodying my improvements.

- *Fig. 2 a fragmentary sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. 7

Fig. 3, front view of the overshoe tongue with fragmentary portions of the sides and vamp, and; 7 a

Fig. 4, a. longitudinal view, mediate pert-ion broken away, line 4:' 4 of Fig. 3. 1 f

The overshoe shown in the accompanying drawings which is indicated as a whole at 1 is divided down the front to afford separable ofwhich said portions has a fastener member 4 and '5 respeetively in the form of an elongated coiled with an intertaken on "the spring secured to the forward edges thereof Y and adapted to be interlocked and released by movement of a slider (1 therealong. The fastener illustrated is like that of my application Serial No. 7 57,321 filed December 22. 1924, wherein theindividual convolutions of one spring nest quite closely between adjoinirig convolutions of the other spring, the convolutions of one of the springs, as for example 4, having offsets at the outer ends for v affording an interlockingengagement. Other forms of fastener may, however, be used.

A tongue is commonly employed in connection with overshoes of this character. underlying the opening down the front of the overshoe, the tongue in the present case, indicated at 7, being of the bellows type having a portion 8 at each side thereof folded back over the front and secured alongthe forward edge forward edges. of the 2 and 3 of the over- This tongue usually consists of a facshoe.

ing 9 and lining 10 both of fabric which are cemented together or combined by an intermediate thin layer 21 of rubber composition. In my construction a reenforcing or stiffen- 7, ing element is incorporated in this tongue and 7 comprises a strip 11, preferably of rubber composition, although rubberized fabric or other suitable material may be used, and this is cemented or otherwise secured between the facing 9 and lining 19 and extends up and down the front of the overshoe directly underneath the fastener members 4 and 5.

The place or places where to occur is in the vicinity of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and the reenforcing 11 extends suificiently above and below this point to include any possible range in which bending may occur. As a matter of fact, I prefer to extend the reenforcing pretty well up to the top of the tongue so as to hold the tongue extended and prevent same creepingdownwardly 0r wrinkling. This strip 11' of reenforcing, is tapered off to a feather edge at each side, as shown in Fig. 2, and at the ends as shown in Fig. 4, so that there is no irregularity in the faces of the tongue and this reenforcing is molded on the last so that it naturally assumes the required shape to fit over the instep and lower portion of the leg.

Additional reenforcing is also provided in the form of similar strips 12, of rubber composition or other suitable material, which are assembled in the forward edges of the side portions2 and 30f the overshoe. In practice it has been found convenient to mount the fastener members on tapes which are in turn secured to the forward edges of the side portions of the overshoe. doubled over tape is employed comprismg the side portions 13 and 14 with the intermediate portion 15 secured to or engaged around a cord 16 which runs lengthwise through the coiled spring fastener element 4 or 5. and the two side portions of the tape are stitched together as at 17 along the side of the spring fastener element. The reenforcing 12 is preferably cemented or otherwisesecured between the side portions 13 and 14-.of the tape as shown in Fig. 2. and the facing 18 of the side portion of the overshoe is extended over and secured to the outer face of the tape section 13 while the lining 19 and the back turned edge 20 of the overshoe tongue are secured to the inner face of the tape section 14. It is to be understood, of course, that other form of assembly may be used and that he arrangement of the parts above described is merely illustrative of a form in which I find it desirable to assemble the parts.

The side reenforcing members 12 likewise extend sufficiently above and below the place where bending is likelytooccur,approximately in the same manner as the reenforcing 11, and these reenforcing members 12 taper at each side and at the opposite ends to a feather edge so that a smooth surface is presented at bending is likely 7 In the present case a or wrinkling.

various changes and cealed within and stiffening portion of the wall along eachside' of the the inner and outer sides of the side portions 2 and 3.

With the above construction the extra thickening of the intermediate portion of the tongue and edges of the side portions 2 and 3 of thevovershoe, and the stiffening effect of the elements 11 and 12 prevents any sharp bends occurring at the frontportion of the overshoe, as any bend is caused to assume a well rounded form. Consequently excessive or sharp bending of the fastener elements which might injure same is avoided. Moreover the reenforcing' elements serve the additional purpose ofholding the front of the overshoe extended so that it cannot work downwardly and wrinkle, and the overshoe thus maintains a smooth and neat appearance under constant wear. It is to be understood that sufficient reenforcing or protection of the fastener elements may be obtained by merely using a reenforcing element in the tongue alone or by merely using the reenforcing in the edges of the side portions 2 and 3, although it-is preferred to have both the tongue and the edges of the side portions of the overshoe reenforced asthis required a less amount of reenforcing in each location. Moreover reenforcing similar to that shown herein may be advantageously used in footwear, with other typesof fasteners, for holding the upper in'the outstretched position and preventing same from slipping downwardly While I have shown and described my. .invention in a preferred form I am aware that modifications may bemade without departing fromthe principles of my invention the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination of a flexible article havinga wall-with an opening, a strip of flexible reenforcing and a mounting tape 'conthe I marginal opening, portion spective edge of the-wall and provided with a series of fastener elements thereon, and a slider operable along said series of fastener elements for interlocking the'series of fastener elements on one side of the opening with the series of fastener elements on the other side of the opening. p

2. The combination with a flexible article having an opening, a fastener comprising opposed series of interlocking elements for closing said opening, and a slider for interlocking and releasing said opposed elements and having an operating handle at the outer side of the fastener, of a tongue at the inner side of the fastener having a strip of stiffening ma-' terial extending lengthwise under the juncture line of the opposed series of elements;

each mounting tape havingan edge 3. The combination of a fastener .compris-'- thereof projecting beyond the re-' ing-opposed series of fastener elements and a slider operable therealong for interlocking and releasing same, said slider having an operating handle at the outer side of the fastener, and a tongue at the inner side of the fastener having a strip of stiffening material extending lengthwise along the juncture line of the fastener to provide a smooth surface along which the slider operates;

4. The combination with'a fastener comprising opposed series of fastener elements and a slider operable therealong for interlocking and releasing same, of a tongue having a strip of transversely arched stiffening material extending lengthwise along the juncture line of the fastener to afford a central ridge on which the slider operates.

.5. The combination with a flexible article having an opening and a slider operated fastener for closing said opening, of soft and pliable reenforcin material concealed in the walls of the artic e adjacent and extending lengthwise of the fastener, said material being molded on a form and thereby permanently shaped to conform to'th'e shape of the article.

6. The combination with a flexible article having a lining and facing and having an opening closed by a slider operated fastener, of soft and pliable stiffening material adjacent andextending lengthwise of the fastener between the lining and facing and having the edges feathered so that the portions of lining and facing extending thereover have smooth exterior surfaces.

7. The combination with a flexible article having an opening and a slider operated fastener for closing said opening, of a strip of reenforcing material with tapered lateral portions extending lengthwise under the fastener, and a strip of reenforcing material at each side of the fastener each having a tapered portion at the inner side overlapping the tapered portion at the adjoining side of the first mentioned strip of reenforcing material.

8. The combination with a flexible article having an opening and a slider operated fastener for closing same, of a tongue having a central strip of reenforcing material therein, said tongue having the lateral portidns secured to the material of the article at the respective sides of the opening for holding said strip of reenforcing materialunder the juncture line of the fastener.

9. In an interlocking fastener structure the combination of separable parts of flexible ma- 7 lengthwise under said fastener,

- and a. flexible member at the inner side of locked position of the edge to afford a a pliant reenforcing of soft material extend ing therealong and concealed therein adjacent the series of fastener elements thereon. 10. The combination with a flexible article having separable parts of-flexible material, and a detachable connection therefor, of a re enforcing of soft pliable material concealed in the flexible material along and joining the detachable connection, said re-enforcing material being substantially fiat and tapered in section to substantially feather edges so as to afford a smooth exterior surface for the article at. the re-enforcing.

11. In an interlocking fastener structure the combination of separable parts of flexible material, each having a series of fastener elements along the edge thereof, a slider operable along the two series of fastener elements for interlocking and releasing same, said els I ments being closely arranged so as to afford a substantially continuous connection between the edges of the separable parts, and a plurality of strips of re-enforcing material arranged respectively under the interfastener and at each side thereof for avoiding excessive bending strain on the fastener.

12. The combination of a flexible article having separable parts and each of said parts having a series of fastener elements along the edge thereof, a slideroperable along the two series of fastener elements for interlocking and releasing same, said elements being closely arranged so as to alford a substantially continuous connection between the ed es of the separable parts, and a pliant reen orcing of soft material concealed in the flexible material and extending along and adjacent to the series of fastener elements to protect the latter against excessive bending strain, said re-enforcing material being tapered in section substantially to a feather gradual increase in thickness of the flexible material and a smooth exterior surface at the re-enforcing.

p 13. The combination of a flexible article having separable side portions, a series of fastener elements on each side portion, a

slider operable alongthe two series of elements for interlocking and releasing same, and a flexible member at the inner side of the fastener and having a reenforcing extending said flexible member and reenforcing being shaped to normally assume a-curvature lengthwise of the fastener.

.' 14. The combination of a flexible article having separable side portions, a series of fastener elements on each s1de port1on, a slider operable along the two series of elements for interlocking and releasing same,

the fastener and having a reenforcing extending lengthwise under said fastener, said flexible member and reenforcing being shaped to wearer having separable side portions, a series of fastener elements on each side portion and a slider operable along the two serics of'elcments for lnterlocking and releasing same,

said side portions when interlocked forming a connected structure of concave and convex form on both the outer and inner sides, and a flexible member at the inner side of said structure having a reenforcing extending lengthwise under the juncture line of the fastener elements and. said member and reenforcing being of concave and convex form corresponding to the inner side of the aforesaid connected structure.

16. The combination of a flexible article having separable side portions, a series of fastener elements on each side portion and a slider operable along the two series of elements for interlocking and releasing same, said side portions when interlocked forming a connected structure of concave and convex form on both the outer and inner sides, and a reenforcing of rubber composition on each of the said separable side portions adjacent the respective series of elements and shaped 130 conform t0 the COIICEZVG ELllCl COIIVQX C'UIVJ.

ing along the fastener and shaped to conform tothe concave and convex form of the said connected structure.

18. The combination of a flexible article having separable portions, an elongated coiled fastener element on each separable portion having the adjoining convolutions thereof spaced apart to receive the convolutions of the other element therebetween and the convolutions of one of the elements being offset) at their outer extremities to interlock with the convolutions of the other element, a'slide'r operable along said coiled elements for interlocking and releasing same, and a flexible member extending under the said separable portions" and having a reenforcing underlying the juncture line of the fastener .elements. g

19. The combination of a flexible article having separable portions, an elongated coiled fastening element on each separable portion having the adjoining convolutions thereof spaced 'apart to receive the convolutions of the other element therebetween and the ill convolutions of one of the elements being ofiset at their outer extremities to interlock with the convolutions of the other elements, a slider operable along said coiled elements for interlocking and releasing same, and

flexible ,re'enforcing means combined with each of said separable portions and extending therealong adj acent the respective coiled fastener element to protect the latter against excessive bending.

GEORGE W. BLAIR. 

